Rhode Island News

[vdeane]

Going by the strictest interpretation of the MUTCD, the number for the new ramp from I-95 north to RI 4 would be 24C with all other numbering here left alone - even though that would lead to a different number for each direction (see also: NY 481).

Is the strictest interpretation of the MUTCD always "round down", even though it means an exit at mile marker 24.99 becomes 24?

If true, someone better not tell Mass DOT...

I believe so, given how NYSDOT assigns mile-based exits.  Although according to the mile markers, RI 4 is at 24.5.  At least RI isn't CT - they would go with 23 for RI 2 SB (while RI 2 is past MP 24, the ramp diverges before it), 24A for RI 2 NB, and 24B for RI 4!

[southshore720]

Another infuriating BGS is on I-95 SB on the C/D road for the Route 10 ramps in Cranston.  Exit 33A is supposed to be "RI 10 to RI 12 / Park Ave."  However, the RI 2 shield was mistakenly used.  It looks ridiculous to see the two "RI 10 to RI 2" signs side-by-side.

[Great Lakes Roads]

RIDOT was supposed to replace the WB Washington Bridge in 2019!

[Ted$8roadFan]

Meanwhile, the state DOT director at a public hearing expressed ignorance at what the contractors his agency hired were actually doing. Talk about a bad look.


https://turnto10.com/news/washington-bridge-closure/house-senate-joint-oversight-hearing-rhode-island-department-of-transportation-ridot-director-peter-alviti-under-oath-providence-state-house-november-13-2025

[Rothman]

Meanwhile, the state DOT director at a public hearing expressed ignorance at what the contractors his agency hired were actually doing. Talk about a bad look.


https://turnto10.com/news/washington-bridge-closure/house-senate-joint-oversight-hearing-rhode-island-department-of-transportation-ridot-director-peter-alviti-under-oath-providence-state-house-november-13-2025

Pfft.  I'd bet every DOT head does not meet with the person who is in charge of bridge inspections directly, but rather their supervisor or their supervisor's supervisor.

Had to snicker at the Rep that was appalled that RIDOT "outsourced everything."  I'd be surprised if RIDOT didn't do some inspections themselves in-house, but that clutching of pearls given the realities of DOTs contracting out over the past half-a-century-plus is a bit much.

[AMLNet49]

I'm surprised there has been no posting on this forum about the multi-year Sayles Hill Road interchange project on 146 that for several years snarled the already-horrendous traffic in that area (a major reason the project was taken on in the first place) and finally has essentially concluded, having been fully opened a few weeks ago.

This has eliminated the only traffic light on 146 in Rhode Island, which I believe means the freeway is now continuous from Providence to the Mass state line.

The only 2 remaining signals on 146 between Providence and Worcester are in the lower-traffic area of Sutton & Millbury, Mass., meaning this should be a major step forward for the corridor.

Has anyone been following the project, driven it, etc?

I last drove it a year ago when it was partially complete (one side was open) but was still quite a mess in both directions. I look forward to seeing the completed state next time I pass through the area.

[pderocco]

I'm surprised there has been no posting on this forum about the multi-year Sayles Hill Road interchange project on 146 that for several years snarled the already-horrendous traffic in that area (a major reason the project was taken on in the first place) and finally has essentially concluded, having been fully opened a few weeks ago.

This has eliminated the only traffic light on 146 in Rhode Island, which I believe means the freeway is now continuous from Providence to the Mass state line.

The only 2 remaining signals on 146 between Providence and Worcester are in the lower-traffic area of Sutton & Millbury, Mass., meaning this should be a major step forward for the corridor.

Has anyone been following the project, driven it, etc?

I last drove it a year ago when it was partially complete (one side was open) but was still quite a mess in both directions. I look forward to seeing the completed state next time I pass through the area.

I haven't driven it for over two years.

The northern part is a little like Boston's Northeast Expressway (US-1), with no lights or left turns but lots of driveways. I don't think it's ever going to be an Interstate.

But I don't see any traffic light in Millbury. Are my eyes malfunctioning?

[shadyjay]

Here's one:

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1612994,-71.7381067,3a,30y,298.21h,89.02t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sycu6tCP3oF4SC_JOq-ZpHQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.9821783920603337%26panoid%3Dycu6tCP3oF4SC_JOq-ZpHQ%26yaw%3D298.2138857237678!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

(and a unique blue MassPike sign... they're usually green)

Given I have a friend who lives not far from RI 146, next time I head up that way, I may have to detour to check out the new overpass/interchange.

[pderocco]

Here's one:

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1612994,-71.7381067,3a,30y,298.21h,89.02t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sycu6tCP3oF4SC_JOq-ZpHQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.9821783920603337%26panoid%3Dycu6tCP3oF4SC_JOq-ZpHQ%26yaw%3D298.2138857237678!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

(and a unique blue MassPike sign... they're usually green)

Given I have a friend who lives not far from RI 146, next time I head up that way, I may have to detour to check out the new overpass/interchange.

That's the one in Sutton. I don't see another in Millbury though.

[shadyjay]

My bad... that is Sutton.  I don't see any in Millbury.  I bet'cha this intersection once was once upon a time, however....

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Millbury,+MA/@42.1865869,-71.7633656,265a,35y,165.53h,39.43t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e405694ee685c1:0xb1a9cda7e3a0fc72!8m2!3d42.1913074!4d-71.7605519!16zL20vMHYwNWI?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[pderocco]

My bad... that is Sutton.  I don't see any in Millbury.  I bet'cha this intersection once was once upon a time, however....

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Millbury,+MA/@42.1865869,-71.7633656,265a,35y,165.53h,39.43t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x89e405694ee685c1:0xb1a9cda7e3a0fc72!8m2!3d42.1913074!4d-71.7605519!16zL20vMHYwNWI?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Well that's good. That means Massachusetts only has to do one project like the one that just finished up in Rhode Island, not two.

[bob7374]

More information on MA 146 is available on Steve Anderson's new page of Boston Roads.com:
http://www.bostonroads.com/roads/MA-146/

[Great Lakes Roads]

What the (bleep) is going on in RI? 

[Ted$8roadFan]

Governor McKee is blaming it on years of deferred maintenance/neglect.

[pderocco]

What the (bleep) is going on in RI? 

The "parapet" that fell onto the tracks must have been one of these two walls tacked onto the bridge at some point:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HKp7RNtZVqy94aDMA
Their only purpose is obviously to prevent debris from being thrown onto the tracks from passing vehicles, which is ever so slightly ironic. But the main point is that this has nothing to do with the structure of the bridge itself. It's just a crappy add-on wall that can easily be picked up and carted away to the scrap yard, and hopefully replaced with something better designed. Why not just a chain link fence, like most overpasses have? They have the advantage of near-zero wind load, and it's entirely possible that wind played a factor here.